November
21, 2003 (prplus)
BRIGHT
FUTURE FOR MOTORSPORTS IN SOUTH KOREA
November
21, 2003 - The future of motorsport in South Korea, at both
international and national levels, is looking bright with
a Memorandum of Understanding signed recently with Formula
One Management. The Memorandum opens up the possibility
of hosting a round of the FIA Formula One World Championship
for the country which has played host to the Olympics and
co-hosted the 2002 World Cup.
A
new facility will be constructed on a 327 acre site reclaimed
from the sea at Jin Hae, ten minutes from the major city
Busan, which boasts both an international airport and one
of the region's largest container ports.
The
project is a joint venture between private business concerns,
and has the backing of both the Central Government and that
of the local Gyeongnam Provincial Government. The development
will be a comprehensive sports resort, comprising hotels
and other facilities as well as the race track itself. It
will benefit from the existing comprehensive infrastructure
and close proximity to Busan, which has a population of
3.9 million.
Plans
are underway to continue the highly successful International
Formula 3 Korea Super Prix, the year-end season closer which
is now in its fifth year, up to 2009 when the country hopes
to host its first F1 event.
In
addition, the new Sang Am street circuit will host a round
of Champ Cars in October 2004.
Domestic
motorsport is also developing quickly in Korea, a major
automobile manufacturer, with three circuits currently in
use and two under construction. Over 40 domestic racing
events, plus some regional race meetings, are on the calendar
for 2004, and the Korean motorsport governing body the Korean
Automobile Racing Association (KARA), is implementing a
driver development programme to bring youngsters in to the
sport.
The Taebeck and Everland Circuits are currently hosting
events on a regular basis, while the Sang Am Stadium Circuit
and You Joo Speedpark will be completed next year. Two rallies
and various off-road events are also held in South Korea
annually.
As
well as Korean drivers, two of whom have competed this year
in the inaugural Formula BMW Asia series, KARA is also actively
developing its own motorsport officials and marshals. Several
Korean youngsters have competed in Formula Renault this
year at China's Zhuhai International Circuit.
